Big wave surfing is the sport of surfing practiced on waves larger than practicable using standard surfing techniques. Big wave techniques are used on waves ranging from 20-80 feet in height at crest; due to the height and speed of such waves, and the increased distance from shore they typically break, a surfer cannot manually paddle to the break zone. Instead, surfers are towed onto the wave jet ski, matching the speed of the incoming wave before releasing tow and surfing down the face of the wave.

The height record for big-wave surfing is thought to be held by Ken Bradshaw, who successfully navigated a wave estimated at 85 feet in January, 1998 near Oahu, Hawaii.